I messed up and Cancelled my Q3 43 order. Now the tariff has raised the price - Am I silly to still buy it now at the higher price?

[Jeff S]

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On 6/16/2025 at 10:06 PM, lencap said:

Thanks all.  The issue isn't solely cost, it's use and utility.  At this stage of my life the most important asset I have is time.  Shooting with gear that puts a smile on my face, makes me feel the "zen" of photography or otherwise encourages me to use it, is the goal.  Yet seeing great gear just sitting on a shelf and rarely used seems wasteful, and it bothers me.

I've owned M, SL and Q bodies over the years, and regret selling any of my Leica gear.  The M-A, MP, M9, M7 all got "some use", but not enough to justify their cost.  Still, I enjoyed having a "tool chest" of gear to suit any purpose.  Now I'm solo with the SL2-S 50mm F/2.0 Summicron ASPH.  I realize the near perfection of the APO designs, but I also remember the character of the Mandler era lenses fondly.  

I'm also guilty of GAS, chase specs and MTF charts for hours on end, yet spend more time reading/researching that I do shooting.  It reminds me of my motorcycle days - instead of riding, the oldsters would meet at the dealership, swap stories and talk of the old days.  I don't want that to happen to my photography hobby.  I'm not a great photographer, but that isn't the point.  I'm seeking an immersive experience of enjoying the entire "zen" of photography, only less tilted to gear, and more to subject/composition.  And at this stage of life, I have the luxury of doing so.  I also realize that if I am to follow the M body nagging at me, the longer I wait the less likely it will be to happen.  The Q3 43 remains my "one and done" idea with a combination of the autofocus of the SL line, quality of an APO lens, lighter weight of the M, and the fun of using a quasi manual lens with real distance markings and manual control.

Truth be told, like many I found the M body/lens combo to be "The Leica experience", but with cataracts, arthritis and other "senior issues" the SL became my default system.  It's a fine camera, but as much as I try to ignore it the M still "calls to me".  I can't focus it well, it's totally impractical for getting focused well composed shots on the fly (again at my age), but it is a magical tool.  The Q3 43 is my attempt to downsize the weight of the SL kit, but it too has compromises.  And at the price of current M bodies/lenses starting over and getting them now is what my heart seems to want, but what my head seems to resist.

The forum is my "therapy".  Filled with Leicaphiles that have vast experience, friendly comments and offer me a way of rethinking what is the best path forward.  Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome and fully encouraged - and the forum far less expensive than going to a psychiatrist - sadly, any Leica is no longer just an impulse purchase.

Thanks to all of you for the help.

Keep everything and buy a used M, either M240 or M10 generation. You don’t need the latest and greatest to scratch an itch, or to get potentially wonderful pics. Any M lens you buy can also be used on the SL.  You don’t need to spend a fortune, and you’ll have a lot more to talk about here during therapy. Every camera has compromises.

[Benoo]

I am selling my Q3 to a local shop dropping it off today, have the SL with a couple of primes and the m 28mm elmarit, love it.

The Q3 as a fixed focal length is good if you are ok with that restiction, its a really nice camera. But once i added the base plate, hand grip and the thumb grip, it got a bit bulkier so the SL isnt stupidly bigger.

Edited June 20 by Benoo

[lencap]

I appreciate the thoughts, thanks everyone.

I actually considered the M240 - local dealer has one for a fair price, but he told me that replacement batteries are very hard to find.  Basically he said the risk is that buying it is risky, which us why it’s among the lowest priced used M models.

[Biotar]

A good decision - there should be new batteries from Leica soon.